Andrew Wilson joins Governing Board of SCRI

The former economist and MSP Andrew Wilson has joined the Governing Board of SCRI, Scotland’s world-renowned crop research institute based at Invergowrie, Dundee.

Mr Wilson (38) has been the Head of Group Corporate Affairs of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group since April 2008.

He has held a variety of posts with the RBS Group including Deputy Chief Economist (2005-2007).

From 1999 to 2003 he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament and the Shadow Minister on first Finance, then Economy and Transport and finally Economy and Lifelong Learning. During this same period he wrote a weekly column in the Sunday Mail and contributed to a variety of other publications.

Mr Wilson began his career as an economist with the Government Economic Service (1993-1995); the SNP (1995-1997) and the Royal Bank of Scotland (1997-1999).

He was educated at St Andrews and Strathclyde Universities. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of The John Smith Memorial Trust and a member of the Development Board of the children’s charity Barnados (Scotland).

Mr Wilson is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and Member of the Institute of Fiscal Studies.

Speaking last night Mr Wilson said: "SCRI is a hugely impressive institution with the potential to grow into truly world-class centre for scientific research.

“We have the potential to make a very significant global contribution to the science that is needed to allow environmentally sustainable economic growth.

“SCRI has longstanding public financial support and will have to demonstrate it is earning it and punching above its weight allowing Scotland to do the same.

“I look forward to learning a great deal from some very talented people and will do all I can to assist in whatever modest way I can," he said.

“These are exciting times for the institute because of the renewed demand for the scientific research that we do on the impact of climate change and the need for sustainable food production for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

“Andrew has a deep understanding of the economic opportunities open to Scotland. SCRI has already been able to demonstrate, using an independent economic assessment, that we are a major contributor to wealth creation in the UK, especially in the food and drink sector. We look forward very much to working with him.”

Notes to editors

Mr Wilson’s position on the SCRI Governing Board is non-remunerated.

SCRI is partly funded by the Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate of the Scottish Government. It is one of five Main Research Providers that undertake research on the Scottish Government programmes of research in the areas of environment, agriculture and biology. See also KnowledgeScotland.